{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/sinusitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:00.976Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Sinusitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":4063,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":27.9,"denied_pct":35.7,"remanded_pct":36.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":43.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":105,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":43.8},{"year":2018,"issues":137,"granted_pct":16.1,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2019,"issues":252,"granted_pct":15.9,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":51.2},{"year":2020,"issues":383,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":35.5,"remanded_pct":40.5},{"year":2021,"issues":389,"granted_pct":22.6,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":38.3},{"year":2022,"issues":401,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":27.4,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2023,"issues":477,"granted_pct":31.4,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":37.1},{"year":2024,"issues":674,"granted_pct":31.3,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":32.2},{"year":2025,"issues":1136,"granted_pct":30.6,"denied_pct":41.4,"remanded_pct":26.6},{"year":2026,"issues":242,"granted_pct":27.7,"denied_pct":40.5,"remanded_pct":31}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":679,"granted_pct_with":60.1,"granted_pct_without":40.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3409,"granted_pct_with":40.9,"granted_pct_without":65.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":734,"granted_pct_with":66.2,"granted_pct_without":39},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2007,"granted_pct_with":41.4,"granted_pct_without":46.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1330,"granted_pct_with":52.7,"granted_pct_without":39.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":199,"granted_pct_with":55.7,"granted_pct_without":43.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":3495,"granted_pct_with":42.7,"granted_pct_without":51.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":120,"granted_pct_with":54.2,"granted_pct_without":43.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":232,"granted_pct_with":52.8,"granted_pct_without":43.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":162},{"reason":"presumptive service connection under 38 c.f.r. § 3.320","decisions":76},{"reason":"qualifying service in southwest asia theater of operations","decisions":27},{"reason":"service in southwest asia theater of operations","decisions":25},{"reason":"presumed exposure to fine particulate matter","decisions":21},{"reason":"more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year","decisions":19}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":276},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":120},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":80},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":77},{"reason":"no incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment","decisions":52},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":52}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040941","year":2026,"judge":"SHAUN S. SPERANZA","rationale":"Veteran's lay statements regarding sinus issues and TERA exposure; STRs showing multiple sinus treatments and diagnoses; MPRs confirming service locations and assignments; VA treatment records acknowledging sinusitis; Adequate private medical opinion linking sinusitis to service"},{"case_id":"A26040926","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Direct service connection established; Caused by active duty, mold/sensitizer exposure; Benefit of doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040394","year":2026,"judge":"L. STEPANICK","rationale":"Veteran's symptoms meet criteria for 10% rating; No incapacitating episodes or surgeries documented; Evidence supports 3-6 non-incapacitating episodes per year"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040690","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"No objective findings of sinusitis on VA examinations; March 2023 and November 2024 VA examinations showed clear paranasal sinuses and insufficient objective evidence; No post-service treatment records for sinusitis"},{"case_id":"A26040346","year":2026,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"Service treatment records showed acute sinusitis during service.; Separation examination found normal sinuses.; Post-service medical records are silent for sinus issues.; VA examiner found no current diagnosis of sinusitis.; Private nexus opinion was inadequate due to lack of rationale."},{"case_id":"A26040212","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"No current diagnosis of sinusitis found in the record.; Service treatment records showed some assessments of sinusitis, but no treatment or complaints within the applicable evidentiary window.; Weight of the evidence is against the existence of the condition."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}